O'Neill's Pompey Verdict

Martin O'Neill believes our second half dominance should have warranted all 3 points in todays game.

There were plenty of chances in the game, and to be honest either side could've won it today, yet with our possession we have been made to rue spurned opportunities to pick up another 3 points and banish the memory of the Chelsea match.

Speaking on the official site, O'Neill said:

'I thought the second half belonged to us. We exerted a lot of pressure but unfortunately without reward at the end of it.

'It was always going to be a hard-fought match. I thought we did enough to get all three points but it wasn't to be.

'I just wish we could have converted some of those half chances. John Carew had a header which scraped the bar and from where I was standing, I thought it was in. Had we won the game, I would have said we deserved it.

'I thought we would break them at some point because we have players in the side who can do that.

'While we weren't at our free-flowing best, I thought with the pressure and the crowd behind us, something might give.'

Free flowing best is one comment you can't make about todays game but most of that was due to the whistle happy ref, and it ruined the type of football you expect Villa and Pompey to play.

O'Neill continued:

'There was a concern with the lads who played international football. Ironically, the best player on the pitch in my opinion was Stiliyan Petrov - who played in Georgia on Wednesday evening.

'I thought he was terrific. His defensive work was great and his driving forward was immense too.'

Maybe we should've had all 3 points, that's open for debate. Last season though this type of scrappy game would've seen us more than likely lose, so as we continue to improve I'm certainly happy with the point, as I'd have taken it before the match.

Presumably there is a pecking order as L.Young always plays ahead of Shorey even though he is not left footed, then at the other end of he scale you have the untouchables/teachers pets who never get dropped and can/are moved to play anywhere no doubt because they bring daily apples into training. Its a team game and certain players should not lose all confidence and go and cry to their Mums just because they aren't picked or get subbed off every week.

Well that is bloody stupid - the team was working well!! When I saw the line-up I thought that O'Neill had just walked in and picked his best eleven players and hoped it would work. The only change should have been Cuellar in at CB for Davies after his disaster in the first 45mins v Chelsea (but I suppose that we didnt concede so he may not have been the problem). If he really wanted to play Milner surely he should have came in for Petrov/Reo-Coker .....or how about in for Gabby and have Milner and Young push right up as attacking wingers in support of Carew. A bit like the way Chelsea play??

Your Petrov was again MOTM. you will need sharper attacking teeth to get the top 6 position you want. Carew is a good journeyman and always causes City trouble, but unless Agbonlahor is given his head you will simply not score enough goals this year to make the breakthrough you want. -- Just a view from a Man City fan.

Yes, Petrov was definitely my man of the match. I do agree with some comments regarding player's being dropped rather than being accommodated. They should earn the right to the shirt, no matter who they are or how good they can be!